Park vandals endangering hikers

Authorities say vandals are putting hikers' lives at risk by destroying track markers in Western Australia's national parks.

Police and the Department of Environment and Conservation say direction markers along many tracks through the WA wilderness have been removed or damaged so hikers cannot find their way.

The comments come after the rescue of a 31-year-old man in the Stirling Ranges last weekend - he lost his way on Bluff Knoll because of poorly-marked tracks.

Mike Shepherd, from the department, says the vandalism is extremely irresponsible.

"The visitors that come to our areas are no longer able to identify with either direction that they need to take, or the risks or hazards that are present in that area, and are therefore exposed to either danger or end up getting lost and causing problems for us to go and fetch them," he said.